Mitsuba walked out of school while waving goodbye at his fellow club mates in the photography club. He didn't have many friends if he were honest and not being with Tsukasa, Natsuhiko, and Sakura this year was more or less annoying.

At the very least he could spend more time with Tsukasa since he decided against going to college.

But seeing as his friend is going through some shit at the moment didn't sit right with him. He knew perfectly well why death was such a horrible topic for Tsukasa. Being a witness to death at such an age would likely mess with his head to the point of no return.

And the fact that his abuser-

He shouldn't repeat that to himself. Mitsuba and Natsuhiko were sure Tsukasa had yet to tell Amane about that.

Sakura was in the dark about that topic because they knew she'd insist on telling Amane. And while Mitsuba would agree neither he nor Natsuhiko wanted to force Tsukasa to finally talk to his twin after those events.

Amane was a great guy, they weren't close but he was a great guy. The day he met him it was a brief moment when they went to middle school, during which Tsukasa wasn't very talkative to Amane. It was a year later they stopped talking altogether but he still remembered that day. When they first talked properly, that day he had invited a friend of his over. There was a collision at the time but they all managed to find a solution.

That day he met Aoi Akane.

He was also a great guy, albeit very obsessed with his childhood friend who was named Akane Aoi.

Very weird.

After that, they both went to a different high school so Mitsuba barely even talked to Amane. They saw each other a few times and were more or less acquaintances due to the school change.

Didn't help that his twin would avoid him.

As Mitsuba walked he stopped at the bus stop to get home. Checked his phone briefly before the sounds of people in pain caught his attention. He looked up and saw some people limping and holding onto each other completely bloody as a Uber driver stopped to pick them up.

He looked at the scene completely mystified as to why they all looked like they were beaten up by a whole ass army. He shook his head as the car sped away, he didn't care if he were honest. As long as it's not his friends he could care less. He continued typing on his phone before the sound of a guy talking on his phone caught his attention.

"I'm aware but I needed to call you for confirmation on that."

There was a bit of silence. Mitsuba wasn't sure why he was suddenly invested in this conversation.

"Nii-san helped Amane-senpai so I'm not that concerned but I get the feeling Amane-senpai doesn't exactly feel well."

"Akane-senpai, just confirm it for me, please. We know he's not going to say anything about his feelings."

"Okay, okay, I'll try and stop calling you Akane-senpai."

Akane, Amane…? Those names he was familiar with and yet he knew they were common. He looked up to see a blonde boy walk over and stand next to him while still lost in the conversation.

"I don't ask Amane-sen… I mean Amane-san because he's very reserved, I mean he's barely even recovering over Tsukasa-san ignoring him."

Oh… oh… he was talking about the same Amane he knew!? What a small world, guess he has no choice but to continue listening in.

"Okay, okay, listen- no don't yell at me I- I'm aware! I don't want Amane-san to have more trouble so... Just. Confirm. It." The boy was seething and Mitsuba couldn't help but enjoy the scene before him. "Okay thank you." He sighed and put his phone away.

Whatever was happening it didn't sound good.

Mitsuba went back to minding his own business. The boy beside him sighed loudly again and stood there waiting. It took a few minutes for him to realize Mitsuba was there. At that point, he didn't care because honestly, the blond was a stranger to him. But considering he knows the Yugi twins he was a bit curious but he didn't dare voice it. He kept looking in front of him just waiting for the damn bus that seemed to be taking longer than usual. It was weird since it was the first time he's seen this guy around here. Mitsuba has taken this exact bus home for years.

The blond seemed to be looking at him a bit from the corner of his eye. Mitsuba could feel it but he didn't want to pay attention to it.

What did he want?

Maybe he's checking him out?

Doubt, with his clothing he could tell he was one of those rich kids from the block. Amane does go to a prestigious college so it would make sense he'd know rich people. Amane doesn't hang out with spoiled brats though so maybe this dude isn't so bad. Either way, he wasn't the type to interact with people outside of his usual friend group.

Also, he had a very lame earring on.

In the end, he couldn't debate whether or not to say hi as the bus finally came and he got on without so much as glancing at the guy. He thought it would be the end of that, that he'd never see him again.

Much to Mitsuba's shock, he was surprised to see him again at the same spot the next day.

It took him a few minutes to process what was going on as he stood there not looking at him. This time the blond was on his phone texting someone. Mitsuba couldn't help but pay extra attention. He had the rich kid vibe and his stupid earring was still present. He couldn't help rolling his eyes at that.

Was he Amane's friend or was it just a strange coincidence he happened to know a guy named Amane who happens to have a brother named Tsukasa?

Speaking of Tsukasa, he hasn't seen him since Monday and it made him worry even though he knew he was still alive because they'd text each other in the group chat. Despite this, he texted Natsuhiko last night and he hadn't gotten any response. His friend was starting to lose his mind. Ever since the hit and run at the slums a month ago nothing has ever been the same.

It would be a lie if that incident wasn't present in Mitsuba's mind. It fucked Tsukasa up the most so he tried to just be there for him and not think about that incident. But no matter what he can't forget the man's bleeding face, the way his arm was angled…

God, he was glad Tsukasa doesn't fully remember how the body looked.

That man was likely a father, a husband, definitely someone's kid. Who knew what he did to deserve such a death. Was it truly an accident or was it on purpose? He didn't know and he wasn't about to get himself involved in what could potentially result in his death. His mother was lonely as it is, if he died too he'd be pushing her off the edge.

He got on the bus again not even glancing at the blonde that was looking at him without realizing.

The third day it was officially weird and sketchy.

He's never seen this dude in his life. Not even when Amane and Akane were with them during middle school. He's never seen this rich kid with a dumb earring stand there waiting for a bus or a ride or whatever he's waiting for.

It's sketchy.

And very suspicious.

So he had to say something right?

"This is the third time I've seen you here, what are you doing?" He was the blunt kind of guy, don't mind him. It was just very suspicious and he didn't want to get in trouble with anyone or anything.

The blond looked at him very much confused and surprised. "I'm not doing anything bad if that's what you think." He held his hands up clearly realizing Mitsuba's very accusatory tone.

Mitsuba scoffed. "Listen no rich kid is going to stand here to wait for a ride in a very humble neighbor, state your business or leave." He had his hands on his hips awaiting said response. Depending on what it was he might just let the guy go.

The blonde looked rather offended though. "Don't call me a rich kid."

Mitsuba raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How should I call you then? Hella lame traffic safety earring?" He snickered at that, he's going to use that to annoy him.

The blond boy's eye twitched. "No! I'm Minamoto Kou, I'm just waiting for my bus is all."

Mitsuba's eyes went wide and his blood ran cold at the mention of the name Minamoto. A fucking Minamoto, he just had to be a fucking Minamoto. Mitsuba wasn't dumb, he knew just how weird and sketchy that whole family was. Why was Amane hanging out with him!?

"Okay sorry for asking." He quickly said not even bothering to continue.

Kou was… confused.

He could tell the boy's demeanor completely changed at the mention of his identity. He couldn't help but feel… upset. He liked it better when it was just him, Akane, and Amane. They were never intimidated by his last name.

Why Kou was waiting for a bus was a good question. He didn't take the limo to his dad's company because special treatment was a huge no-no for him.

Akane was right, nobody ever messes with him because he's a Minamoto. He's seen Amane gets bullied during high school and it sucked, it sucked to the point where said bullies would quite literally suck up to him on occasions.

Even though Amane was his friend, they still dared mock him in front of him. Almost as if they think he's just friends with him over pity.

Kou's silence was telling though. He realized too late how his silence and inability to stand up for him has doomed him to the point where nobody cares if they do it in front of him. Amane could easily be killed by them in front of him and they'd still think he won't snitch.

So he's not going to let this guy get the wrong impression.

"I just hate taking the limo is all." He quickly said.

Mitsuba looked at him weirdly, he didn't expect the conversation to continue. "Oh, well… okay then? I mean if I had a limo I'd want to ride it all day." Rich kid problems, they don't want to ride a limo. That was laughable.

Kou glanced to the ground sadly. "I don't want people to think I'm a spoiled kid and I don't want any special treatment, I'm equal to everyone no matter what."

Mitsuba stared at him for a bit. That reasoning wasn't laughable. He wasn't going to admit out loud he kind of felt bad. "I see, well that's new coming from someone like you." Mitsuba didn't hate rich kids or anything- they were like a wild card in the sense that there are good ones and then the spoiled brats that think they own the world.

Kou rubbed the back of his head shyly. "I'm starting to realize that basic human decency is very rare these days- but I just wanted to let you know since you seemed very suspicious of me."

Mitsuba sighed. "I mean I've been coming here since I was a kid, naturally I'd be suspicious of you." He explained so the misunderstanding can finally end. The rich boy didn't seem that bad, perhaps he is friends with Amane. He'd have to ask that later though.

Kou nodded in understanding. "Of course, I'm aware, um…?"

Mitsuba blinked before realizing he hadn't introduced himself. "Mitsuba Sousuke, don't forget my name."

"Mitsuba-san, it's nice to meet you." Kou smiled brightly at him.

Mitsuba felt rather odd looking at the cheerful boy in front of him being rather happy to meet him. "Nice to meet you too Minamoto-san."

They shook hands and Mitsuba would be lying if he didn't feel weird doing that. It's not like he hasn't shaken hands with people before. He shakes hands with Tsukasa and Natsuhiko all the time since they like making up secret handshakes, granted they haven't done that these last few months and-

Ah, the bus is here.

"Well… gotta go." He said nervously, why was he so nervous?

"Already? Damn, I wanted to talk to you for a bit longer." Kou looked genuinely disappointed to see Mitsuba leave.

Mitsuba felt something strange- ah! Don't think about it! He's being dumb!! "Can't get enough of me, huh? We'll likely see each other tomorrow so-"

Kou cut him off. "We won't, today is my last day going to the office."

Mitsuba stood there, the bus door opening, the bus driver was waiting for him to get on but Mitsuba was too busy staring at the blond. He didn't know why he was in shock or why he felt rather upset he wasn't going to see this guy again. "Oh, I thought…" He trailed off.

Kou looked at him apologetically. "Yeah, I momentarily forgot, it was temporary since Nii-san was going to be busy." He explained.

Right… well, Mitsuba was glad to have met someone with a rich status. He didn't expect to have a normal conversation with this person. "Guess this is goodbye."

"Yeah…" Mitsuba didn't look back as he got on the bus and paid. He sat down and looked out the window. Kou was waving and continued to wave goodbye as the bus slowly left.

Mitsuba sighed, feeling a bit weird about that encounter.

Meanwhile, Kou was also feeling weird. It wasn't uncommon for people to hit it off in a matter of minutes but he didn't expect to enjoy the pink-haired boy's presence in these last three days of going to his dad's company. He was indeed an idiot for not remembering how temporary this was.

And he was even dumber for not asking for his goddamn number.

He's a fucking idiot.

He'll have to slap himself for that one. Saying goodbye when phones and the internet was a thing.

Shit.

Would it be weird if he tried looking him up? Perhaps he has some social media account or something he could contact him with. But would he remember him? Surely he can't forget him, he seemed to automatically know his last name.

But still… would it be weird?

He's going to do it anyway.

Ah, his bus is here.

Kou felt nervous, he always did when he walked towards the entrance of the building his family-owned. A lot of employees walking around, phones ringing and papers being exchanged. Kou would be lying if he said he liked this type of work, no, that was more of Teru's area. Kou in reality just wanted to live his own life but his family was just too…

"Minamoto-san, your father is expecting you." One of the ladies at the desk said. She bowed down as he nodded and got on the elevator.

Well so much for coming in undetected.

People's tones always change when he's around. Because he's a Minamoto… he's from a powerful family.

God, the more that he thought about it the more Akane was right.

He always has been.

Should he seriously think about apologizing to Amane?

Perhaps-

Why was his brother here?

Kou looked at Teru curiously as he walked inside the room, his dad's office to be exact. He sat on the seat next to his brother. The tension in the room was too thick for him to not notice.

What is going on?

His dad sighed and turned to look at Kou. "So your brother told me you're friends with people that aren't convenient for you. That they're a terrible influence on you." The moment his dad stopped speaking for a whole minute did those words fully register into Kou's brain.

He immediately looked at Teru. "What did you tell him!?" He shouted a reaction he didn't know he could have with his brother.

"The truth Kou, you've been hanging out with Yugi Amane, and that family is practically cursed." He reasoned, he was rather calm when explaining this. As if he didn't just drop a fucking bomb on Kou.

What did his brother know about Amane's family? That was shit Amane only ever told him and Akane in private. "What the fuck are you talking about!!??"

"Language!" His father shouted.

To hell with that!

"Kou there are things you don't know-"

Kou interrupted him. "No, you fucking listen! My respect for you has gone downhill. Amane's past with his family is none of your business!" Kou could feel his blood boil. He was trying so hard to not straight up disrespect the brother he had grown to admire over the years.

Teru's patience was also diminishing. "Kou, the Yugi family has a track record of criminal activity-"

Oh, he's not going there. "Amane has been on a scholarship since high school and consistently has had the best grades of his class, he plans to be a science teacher once he graduates, his current guardian is a respectable police chief, don't fucking say what I think you're going to say," Kou warned.

Teru was ready to continue. "Their father killed their mother, before that he was a criminal in cahoots with the yakuza and selling drugs, I wouldn't be surprised if his sons end up the same way so I told dad because you won't listen when I tell you that Amane is a bad influence."

His dad immediately agreed. "We've investigated this family and the claims are true. Their father was arrested for murdering his wife, got out due to corruption in his court case, and was murdered three months later." He passed Kou the file.

As if… as if he needed to see it.

As if he didn't already at least know some of that story. It was part of Amane's childhood trauma and the source of his twin brother's constant grief.

Kou had heard enough.

"I'm out of here."

He didn't look back not even when Teru called out to him.

--

The long awaited mitsukou chapter is finally here!

And with that I finally upload a chapter in 2021 and officially put this story back in progress instead of being on hiatus

I have an important announcement

So due to how rough 2020 was I was advised to open up commissions to have extra income, I couldn't exactly do this since you all know I'm not very punctual xD

So instead I opened up a for anyone that wants to support me, it's currently a work in progress and I do plan to add more perks and stuff in the future

(Link on my profile)

Don't feel obligated to help out if you can't

I appreciate any and all support!

Reviews:

Hiyori:

The Yugi twins have it rough, as for your questions... we'll see ;)

JustARandomGirl:

I have to say I've read your review three times because of how happy it makes me xD

I'm glad you love my stories! I hope to continue bringing you joy and angst xD

All questions will be answered eventually ;)

randomperson:

It'll happen eventually!

Just have patience